Religion of Islam

greetings to one and all! As a lay Muslim reader and student of the faith, i have read many, and examined most, Islamic books (from bookstores and to libraries) dealing exclusively with the theology of Islam; in my search, i have found very few books that can match the dimensions and depth of Islam covered by this eminent Lahori scholar, Maulana Muhammad Ali, in this single volume, The Religion Islam. The Maulana takes the reader on journey of Islam, using the most authentic of sources, and under the most authoritative of interpretation. The writer was undoubtedly one hundred years ahead of his time; he has addressed any and everything a believer or sceptic wants to know about the religion of Islam; from revelation to modernity; from angels to devils; from rituals and sacred practices to rights and obligations; from polygamy to apostasy, and a host of other subject. The Maulana's magnus opus is his: The Holy Qur'an, Arabic Text, Translation and Commentary. Caveat: the Maulana was an original founding member of the original Ahmadiyya movement, under Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian, after whose death, the movement broke apart. The Maulana founded the Ahmadiyya Anjuman Isha`at Islam and moved to Lahore*. English revert and translator of the Qur'an, Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall, in reviewing the "Religion of Islam" stated words to the effect that "this book has not moved a hair's breath from Islam's sacred orthodoxy." Final note: anyone (believer, sceptic or atheist), seriously thinking of understanding Islam as a faith and as a way of life, should avail him/herself to the Maulanas' two primary publications: the Translation of the Quran, and the Religion of Islam, both of which i recommend without reservation or hestitation. *i am NOT an Ahmadi; i'm just an ordinary seeker of knowledge on the road to Truth! my best wishes on your search mohamad k yusuff

The previous reviewer is typical of the people who operates from an ignorant base. I bet this individual had never read any books about Islam and had never spoken to a Muslim. His knowledge is purely based on what he sees in TV such as Fox news and what he hears pumped out by zealots/zombies Christians Zionists and Jews over clear channels fundamentalist radios or what he hears he preacher spews in his Sunday sermons of hate. You tend to feel sorry for this person because he is the product of our bankrupted educational system. George Orwell wrote that people who neither read nor ask questions will ultimately lose all desire to question "Big Brother." What is so frightening as we descend into the new world order fascism is not that we no longer read -- it's that we no longer can read. Quran was sent as a mercy to the world...to combat the self same ignorance this person is suffering from. To usher peace on this planet and to bring people together. But those who are brainwashing him are looking for the exact opposite...one needs to wonder why!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have read several dozen books on Islam, including old and new but by far this is the best book on Islam. Originally written in early twentieth century, it is very elequently written, discuss all the important topics in very details. Enjoyed every page of it.

As a convert to Islam, this book was -- and is -- an invaluable source of information on what the religion of Islam is really all about. Of all the many books on Islam I have read, nothing comes even close to this one in laying out what Muslims believe, and presenting the religion of Islam in a scholarly, straightforward way. This book also addresses many issues that can confuse both newcomers and oldtimers alike, such as the reason why Shirk is so often and so roundly condemned in the Qur'an (the short answer: it's beneath the dignity of man to worship that which is below him -- the issue of Shirk is always about associating partners with Allah, it's about recognising and respecting the dignity and position that Allah put you in). All the basic beliefs are covered and much more. If you are studying Islam and thinking of converting, this is the book you need to read. And if you're a Muslim without an adequate grasp of what your religion really teaches, you also need to read this book. For converts, finding authentic information on what Islam really is can be most difficult and frustrating, if my own experience has been any indication. No doubt there are endless reams of material in Arabic, but there's precious little in English, and many of the books are far too short and far too generalised, aimed at painting a broad picture but scant on the details. That's not the case with 'Religion of Islam'.I'm grateful to Allah to have been able to read this book, and highly recommend it.

I am currently studying this book. I find it to be the best textbook of islam I have ever read. It will serve me as an invaluable reference for years to come. The Lahore Ahmadiyya Movement, who publish it, are theologically in conformity to mainstream Islam (NOT connected with the Qadiani Ahmadiyya Movement), so I would even reccommend this book for non-Ahmadiyyas.